Support for garment-hangers.



P. WOLF. SUPPORT FOR GAR fiBNT HANGERS.

' APPLICATION FILLD MAE-.25, 1909.

Patented 0ct.19, 19 09.

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lIlVE/L'TOR Fannie 1/6 By Mm Z0 ATTORNEY? P. WOLF.

SUPPORT FOR GABMENT HANGERS.

APPLICATION rum) 3.25, 1909.

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F. WOLF.

SUPPORT FOR GARMENT HANGERS.

Patented Oct/19, 1909.

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#PPLICATXON FILED MAR 25, 1909. 937,497.

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SUPPORT FOR GARMENT HANGERS.

APPLICATION I'ILBD HAR.Z5. 1909.

Patented Oct. 19, 1909.

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' SUPPORT FOB GARMENT-HANGERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 19, 1909.

Application filed March 25, 1909. Serial No. 485,781.

To all whom 1' t may concern:

Be it. known that I, FANN'II-i You, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Sup ort 'for Garmcnt-Hangers, of which the fol owing is a full, clear, and exact description.

T his invention relates to certain improvements in supports for garment hangers, and more particularly to that type of Sn port or carrier adapted to be secured beneatli a shelf or within a wardrobe, showcase or the like.

More particularly it relates to that form of support or carrier in which a plurality .of rods are employed, one of the rods being longitudinally movable in respect to the overheadsup'ort and another of the rods being carried )y the first-mentioned one and also longitudinally movable in respect thereto, so'that the support may be extended to its full length out from beneath the overhead support. In my improved device several forms of which are illustrated, I provide means whereby either rod may move in either direction from a normal position, so that the rod which supports the "arment hangers may move out from beneath t 1e overhead support at either of two opposite edges of the latter. I also provide means whereby each rod may be prevented from moving beyond its normal position after its return thereto, so that if the device be carelessly forced back it will stop at its normal position.

Another important feature of my, invention involves the provision of means along the length of one of the rods for not only supporting a plurality of hangers, but preventing their longitudinal movement along the rod. As the rod is suddenly moved longitudinnlly, the gannents will of course sway or swing, but as the hangers 'cannot slide, they will maintain their original spaced relationship after-the rod has been brought. to its adjusted position.

inference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of relorence indicate eorrepomling parts in all the figures, and in whicli--- Figure l is a vertical section through a support. irovided with omform of my improved evice, the parts being in normal )osition; Fig. 2 is a. view similar to Fig. l,

ut showing the supporting rods in extended position; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but on an enlarged scale and with certain of the parts broken away; Fig. 4 is an inverted plan .view of the outer rod of the form shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end view, of a portion of the device shown in Fig.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan 'iew of the purge shown in Fig. 5, the rods being removeu; Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-4 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a different form of construction in which the hangers are connected directly to the inner rod'rather than to a separate rod rigid therewith; Fig. 9 is an inverted plan view of the two rods shown in Fig. 25; Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a further form in which the tubular bars are replaced by bars angular in cross section; Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12--l:'5 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a side elevation of a form in which one bar is angular in cross section and the other is tubular; Fig. 14 is a vertical section on the line l-t-l of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a form in which all of the members are angular in cross section and all lie in the same horizontal plane; Fig. 16 is a. vertical section through the form shown in Fig. 15 and on an enlarged scale; Fig. 17 is a side elevation of one of the outer bars shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is an end view of the three bars shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a. longitudinal section through an attachment for a hanger adapted to be used in connection with the device shown in Figs. 8 and 15; and Fig. 20 is an end view of the attachment shown in Fig. 19. i

In the specific form of hanger support shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, I employ two rods 1 'and 2, the former ofwhich is in the form of an open-ended tube, while the other is arranged to telescope within the tube. The tube 1 is provided with a slot 1 extending along its under side and subdivided into two sections by a small connecting piece 1, as indicated particularly in Fig. 4. The rod 2 closely fits within the tube 1 and at. its opposite ends it is provided with depending handles 3 and 4. Each han- (llc at. its upper end is reduced in thickness to permit, it to pass frta-iy through the slot 1", but. to limit the movement of the rod 2 in l'l'fipttttln the tube 1 by its engagement with the stop 1'. As the stop l is midway between "he ends of the tube and the handles 3 and 4 are at the ends of the tube, it is evident that the rod may be moved in either direction in respect to the tube a distance approximateh equal to one-half the length of the rod. Extending from one handle to the other and parallel to the rod 2, is a bar 5 held rigid in respect to the rod 2 and movable longitudinally therewith. The bar is provided with a series of notches G in its upper edge and adapted to receive the latorally-turned end 7 of a depending pin 8, the lower end of the in being connected to a garment hanger 9 0 any suitable form and the connection being made in any suitable manner. provided with a knob on its end which prevents the hanger from being detached from the bar until it is lifted up out of the opening. The sudden longitudinal movement of the bar cannot shift the hanger along the length of the bar by reason of the engagement of the support for the hanger in one I of the openings or recesses 6. The tube 1 is ad: )ted to be supported adjacent the under sur ace of a shelf or any other suitable form of overhead support. In Figs. 1 and. 2 is shown a portion of a cabinet having a shelf 10 constituting one of many possible forms of overhead supports. This support carries three brackets or hangers for engaging with the tube 1 and permitting it to move longitudinally in either direction a distance approximately equal to one-halfits own length. These hangers are so positioned that when the tube 1 is in its normal position, a hanger will come adjacent each end of the tube and a third hanger will come midway betweeen he ends of the tube. In the specific form of hanger shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, there is provided a top plate 11 and two rollers 12 and 13, each rotatable upon a vertical pivot- 14 and each having a concave outer surface. The curvature of the surface of the two rollers from one end to the other is approximately the same as the curvature of the outer surface of the tube 1, and the two rollers of each pair are so mounted that they engage with opposite sides of the tube to support the latter but permit of its longitudinal movement. For limiting the longitudinal movement of the tube, the latter midway betweeen its ends, carries an upwardly-extending stud or projection 15 which may freely pass through a groove 16 in the plate 11 of the center hanger but will contact with the plates 11 of the terminal hangers and prevent further movement of the tube. As the two terminal hangers are mounted adjacent the ends of the tube; it is evident that the tube may be moved from the normal position in either direction for a distance approximately equal to one-half its own lengt As the rod 2 is carried by the tube 1 and has movable relationship to the latter, it is evident that the total distance of movement of the rod 2 is approximately The laterally-extending end 7 is I equal to its own length in either direction from its normal position. Upon returning the parts to their normal position after they have been pulled out or extended, it is desirable to limit the movement of the parts and prevent the rods from accidentally passing beyond their normal positions and out in the opposite direction. For accomplishing this, I provide a pivoted catch 17 on each of the two terminal hangers and having a limited movement in respect thereto, so that it may normally drop down into the path of movement of both therod 2 and the tube 1 and prevent the movement of either the rod or the tube in either direction from the normal. This catch may be readily lifted into a recess or opening directly above the same, so that both the tube and the rod may be pulled out beneath the catch and to the limiting extent. It is not necessary to manually retain the catch in its raised position, as it will be held upward by its engagement with the upper surface ofthe tube when the latter is drawn out. As soon as the tube and rod are returned to the normal position, they will engage with the catch at the farther end and be stopped from further movement, while the catch at the end from which they have returned may drop into place and lock the parts against accidentally sliding outwardly again.

\Vhen the parts have been pulled outwardly to the limiting position, as shown in Fig. 2, and a person grasps the handle 4 and pushes inwardly thereon, itis desirable that when the rod 2 comes to its normal position in r spect to the tube 1, it will engage with the latter and force the tube back to its normal osition. For accomplishing this, I provi e a slide 19 adjacent each of the handles and movable upwardly into the path of the center rod. Both of the catches are normally in their lowered position but they have slot-and-pin connections, so that they may be readily raised. when the person grasps the handle to return the parts to their telescopcd, inner or normal position. As the slides 19 operate to return the tube 1 with the rod 2, they do not normally prevent the rod from being drawn out of either end of the tube.

Instead of detachabl-y sup orting' the hangers in spaced relationship ruin a separate bar carried by the rod 2, I may, if desired, directly support the hangers from the rod 2, eliminating entirely the-bar 5. In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, I have illustrated a form in which the outer tube 1 is provided with a slot 1 extending throughout its entire length. This tube is'limited against longitudinal movement in the same manner as is the tube 1 in Figs. '1 to 7, inclusive, but as the slot 1 extends the entire length a different means is provided for limitingthe longitudinal movement of the rod 2. This employ two liars 1' and 2, mounted so as to rod is provided with handles 5 and t at its ends and connected to the rod through the l slot 1, but the upper ends of the handles l are of somewhat greater width than the; width of the slot. Tie tube .1 is provided l with two downwardly-extending pins or i studs 1 upon opposite sides of the slot and l midway between the ends of the tube. and 1 these pins or studs are so positioned as to lie in the path of movement of the handles 3 and 4. Thus when the rod 2 is moved in 5 respect to the tube. 1 for a distance a proximately equal to one-half the length of the '2 rod, one of the handles will engage with the two studs or pins lf and lim Further relative movement of the rod .zzd tube. lutermediate the handles 3 a i l, the rod is f provided with a plurality o1 depending pins 1 8 spaced apart and rigid in respect to the rod. Each of these pins has an enlarged head 7 adapted to enter through a keyhole slot in the side of a sheet metal thimble ti carried by a garment hanger 9. The pins f remain rigid with the rod but any hanger may be removed by lifting the same up- 3 wardly and then laterally to bring the head 't' out through the keylzle slot in the side of the thimble. As many hangers may be employed as there are depending pins and i any hanger may swing from its pin, but no other than the predetermined limiting distance between ins. In Fig. 8, l have illus- I trated a slight y modified form of slides or stops 19, by means of which the tube may be returned to its normal position along with the rod.

Instead of making both of the bars cylin- I drical in form and one. of them telescoping within the other, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, I may, if desired, make both of the rods angular in cross section as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. In this form I have the same movements as the tube and 1 7 rod 1 and 2 of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. The 5 lower edges. This bar is supported by a 5 and each hanger is substantially T-shaped I stantially equal to the width'of' the grooves rod 1' is somewhat in the form of an I-heam, l that is. it has a vertical web and laterallyextending flanges along both its upper and plurality of brackets or hangers 14', upon which are mounted pairs of rollers 12 and 13. These rollers are of a (hamster subbetween the upper and lower'fianges of the bar I. and are disposed within said grooves. 'lhe brackets or hangers 14 may be of any suitable character but are illustrated merely as short angle iron sections secured to a transverse plate 11. The bar 1' is liinitod in its longitudinal movement by the pin 15 on its upper side intcrlnmliate its ends and is held against movement past the normal position by the pivoted catches IT. The bar 1 at eznh end thereof and also midway bebar in rc-pcct to the ther.

move longitudinally between the rollers but any further nmvement is prevented. The depending flange of the T-bar is provided with a series of keyhole slots (3 which may receive and retain the. laterally-extending ends- 2" of garment bangers. The hangers are held against movement longitudinally of lhe bar and can only be removed from the i bar by ht! lit tin-m vertically and then movl head out through'the eni nppe nd of the keyhole slot. The bar 1. is limited in its movement in respect to the l ar 1 by an npwarally-extending pin i 22 midwaybr-tween the ends of the T-har,

and movable through a slot in the center transv rse bar '2 The pm when m engagement with ei her of the terminal transverse bars 3% prevents further movement of one The T-bar may have any suitable form of handles 3' and 4 secured to the ends thereof, for facilitating the moxcun-nt thereof.

Tush-ad of making both the bars cylintwo hangers can approach nearer to each drical or both angular in cross section, one

i c these ti l! i bar '1 -'ub-!:2ntially square in cross section,

' and a lower bar 2 cylindrical in cross section. The upper bar 1 is hollow and provided with a slot in its upper edge down through which extend hangers 14-. Each hanger is provided with oppositely-disposed rollers 1:2 and 13 which engage with the upper side of the inner surface of the rod upon opposite sides of the top groove. There are three of these hangers provided and the rod is limited in its longiudmal movement by npwardly-extending pins 15* disposed adjacent opposite ends of the bar and adapted to engage with the central hanger 14. The rod 1 carries depending hangers 20 at each end thereof and midway between the ends,

and provided with :1 depending flange carrying tip ositely-disposed rollers '21, 21. The lower tube 2' is formed of a tube with a slot extending along the upper edge thereof and through which extends the depending flange ot' the hangers 20*. The rollers mounted on said. hangers engage with the inner surface of the lube and are preferably substantially conical. in form to lit the contour of the interior of the tube. The longitudinal movement at the tube *2 may be limited by a pin :32" extending upwardly from the tube midway between the ends thereof and adapted to engage with either of the terminal hangers i a l 20*. Any suitable form of handles 3 and 4 may be provided adjacent opposite ends of the tube 2 and the tube may be provided with a series of keyhole slots (3 spaced apart along the length thereof. These slots may extend from one side of the tube downwardly to the lower edge and garment hangers may be provided with the enlarged heads directly upon the upper ends of the suspending rods 8.

In Figs. to 18, inclusive, I illustrate a form in which there are two outer rods 1", 1*, and a central garment hanger supporting rod 2. All of the rods are of substantiall the same form in cross section as the rod 1' of Figs. 11 and lifand all three of the rods are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane and supported between four depending flanges H of overhead hangers or brackets. These flanges carry opposed pairs of rollers 12 and13 for engaging within the grooves in the opposite sides of the bars for supporting the latter and permitting .of their longitudinal movement. For limiting the longitudinal movement of the outer bars 1*, 1, the latter are provided .with up ardly-extending pins 15, 15*, midway between their ends and adapted to engage with either of the terminal brackets 14* but to freely pass the center bracket. The two outer bars 1, 1 are connected together at one end by a transverse bar which is provided with depending flanges 1'20 disposed upon opposite sides of the center bar 2". flhcse two flanges carry rollers 21" fitting into the opposite sides of the center bar, so that the two outer bars will constitute a support for the center bar irrespective of the position of the outer bars in respect to thebraekets 14. The center bar is provided with depending handles 3 and 4* atits opposite ends, and adjacent each handle is a cross bar 22, WlllCll may engage with depending pins 23" carried by the two side bars midway between their ends. Thus, when the handle at is pulled out half its length the liar 22 at the opposite end will engage with the pins 23" depending from the side bars,

amt cause the side ba s to move with the center bar until the movement of the latter i' limited by the pins 15. For returning the outer bars with the center bar, the latter may be provided with. an upwardly-extend- ']iug lug 15)" for engaging with the transverse air 20 The center bar is provided with a series of depending pins 8", each having an enlarged head 7 similar to the pins shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclu ive. 'l'hese, pins will r ceive the hanger shown in Fig. 7, or the hanger may be provided with an elongated thimblc of the charactel shown in Figs. 1!) and '20. This thimble (3" is formed of sheet metal stamped to Form attached lugs (3 at its ends and a curved body portion' with aslot. 0 extending along the upper edge.

The ends of the body portion are open and the slot of greater width than the stem of the. pin 5', but of lcsswidth than the head T". The thimble is attached to the garment hanger by screws or other suitable means and may be moved endwise on to a suspendpin to engage thelatter and support the nanger. The hanger will be free to rotate but cannot move lorgitudinally along the supporting bar.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination, a bar, a support permitting the bar to move longitudinally in either direction a limited distance from the normal position, a catch for normally preventing said movementand movable to inoperative position, and a second bar carried by the first bar and movable longitudinally in respect thereto a limited distance in either direction from the normal position,

In combination, a bar, a support permitting the barto move longitudinally in either direction a limited distance from the normal position, means for normally preventing saitl movement, said means including pivoted catches adjacent the ends of the bar and mo"able into or out of the path thereof, and a second bar carried by the first bar and movable longitudinally in respect thereto a limited distance in either direction from the normal position.

3. In comb nation, a bar, a support permitting the bar to move longitudmally in either direction a limited distance from the normal position, a second bar carried by the first-mentioned bar and movable longitudi' nally in respect thereto a limited distance in either direction from the normal position, and means carried by said s cond-mentioned bar adjacent the ends thereof for engagement with the firstanentioned bar to prevent the return movement of the second-mentioned bar past its normal position.

st. A garment rack, comprising a plurality of brackets having de ending flanges, a plurality of I-bars disposed substantially parallel and spaced apart, between said flanges, rollers carried between said flanges and supporting said I-bars to permit their longitudinai movement, means for limiting the movement of one of said bars to a distance substantially equal to one-half its length, and means for limiting the movement of another of said bars in one direction and in respect. to the last-mentioned bar to a distance substantially equal to one-half its length.

5. ln mmbination, a bar, a support permitting the bar to move longitudinally in either direction a limited distance from the norn'ial position, means for normally preventing said movement'- and movable to inoperative position, a second bar carr ed by same-7 the first bar ahd movable longitudinally in limited distance, and a catch carried by said respect second bar adjacent the end thereof and.

movable into alinement with the first-mentioned bar to prevent said last-mentioned movment.

7. In combination, a bar, a support permitting the bar-to move longitudinally in either direction a limited distance from the normal position, catches pivoted adjacent the ends of said bar and movable in planes at right angles to the general length of the bar for preventing said movement, and a second bar carried by the first bar and movable longitudinally in rtspect thereto a limited distance in either direction from the normal position.

'8. In combination, a bar, a supoort permittin the bar to move longitudinally a limite distance from the normal 'iosition, a second bar carried by the first at and movable longitudinally in respect thereto a limited distance in either direction from-the normal position, second -mentioned bar'- and movable into,

and catches carried by the v alinerncnt with the first-mentioned bar at" v opposite ends of the latter for preventing said last-mentioned movement.

9. A garment rack, comprising a plurality of brackets having depending flanges, three I bars disposed substantially parallel and spaced apart between said flanges, means connecting the simultaneous movement, and means for limiting the movement of the center bar in -re-' spect to the outer bars.

two outer bars to insure their 10; A garment rack, comprising a lulal- V ity of brackets having depending an es, three I-bars disposed substantially paralel and spaced apart between said flanges, rollers carried between said flanges and supportin said I-bars to permit their longitudinal movement, means connecting the two outer I bars to insure their simultaneous movement, and means for la lting the movement of the central I-bar in respect to the two outer ones.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presenceo i two subscribing witnesses.

,FANNIE WOLF. Witnesses:

JOSEPH OrraNBAoH,

WnmAM J. SWEENY. 

